Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Doncaster, Huntingdon, Lingfield Park and Wolverhampton on 27 January 2023.
DONCASTER
Race 1 No9 JOEDADANCER (Each Way)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Kielan Woods
Money for JOEDADANCER has gone west on both starts for his trainer including at this track in the autumn. He’s been too keen for his own good, but can take a hand at a big price if consenting to settle.
Race 3 No11 STORMINHOME
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Kielan Woods
The same trainer/jockey combo can strike with STORMINHOME, a winning pointer in Ireland who has earned in both starts over hurdles and should enjoy this track and the prevailing underfoot conditions.
Race 5 No3 BEFORE MIDNIGHT (Nap)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
One that I’ve been waiting to run on better ground is BEFORE MIDNIGHT. The ten-year-old has a very good win to run record over fences, is a good jumper and ran a cracker when third to the classy Boothill at Ascot in mid-November. He finds himself in a red-hot contest that could have a bearing on the Grand Annual at Cheltenham, but his pinpoint jumping can get some of them in trouble, with Mackenberg the one that can give him most problems.
Race 6 No15 JUST JESS
Trainer: Sue Smith – Jockey: Ross Chapman
JUST JESS improved from race to race this season on the way to opening her her account at Catterick on New Year’s Day. We probably haven’t seen the best of her, and she has to be of interest getting weight from the entire field in this long distance handicap hurdle.
Race 7 No6 NOBLE SAVAGE (Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Jordan Nailor
NOBLE SAVAGE has given the impression on more than one occasion that he’s a bit soft, caving in just when he looks to be getting a handle on affairs. However, he could be worth another chance on this return from a nine month absence. He works like a good horse at home, and just needs to bring it to the track, meaning he’s an advice with risks attached.
HUNTINGDON
Race 2 No14 SULOCHANA (Each Way)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Luca Morgan
Though lacking experience over jumps, SULOCHANA appeals as a mare her trainer can do well with through the winter. She was a good money spinner for her previous trainer and stays well. She also enjoys a healthy weight allowance from those with public form.
Race 3 No4 BORN AT MIDNIGHT
Trainer: Bill Turner – Jockey: Harry Kimber
Apart from a rare blip at Fontwell last time, BORN AT MIDNIGHT hasn’t done much wrong. He’s a dual scorer over fences from just four outings this season and has a good chance of adding to his laurels on this first visit to Huntingdon.
Race 4 No2 ROCKINASTORM
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Tom O’Brien
ROCKINASTORM is one to take seriously as he makes his handicap debut none the worse for a spill that wasn’t his fault at Uttoxeter. He’d been heavily supported for that New Year’s Eve task and given the rub of the green in this big field he can make handsome amends.
Race 5 No3 ZAMBELLA (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Daryl Jacob
The featured Protectress Chase can see ZAMBELLA extending her winning sequence and completing a hat-trick. She’s been the highlight of the season so far for her trainer, and if her precision jumping contributes to putting these foes to the sword, she will strengthen her claims for the mares’ race at the Cheltenham Festival.
Race 6 No9 THE BOMBER LISTON
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Aidan Coleman
Named after former world heavyweight boxing champion Charles ‘Sonny’ Liston, THE BOMBER LISTON makes abundant appeal on this sharp track which should play to the strengths of the strong travelling gelding. He earned in a red-hot contest that has worked out at Kempton on Boxing Day and is fresh and fancied for this similarly competitive heat.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 6 No2 NAZYMBEK (Nap)
Trainer: Roger Varian – Jockey: Jack Mitchell
NAZYMBEK is napped as the only advice on a tricky card and can get the better of market rival First Sight. The Kingman colt hacked up on his debut here before Christmas when backed as if defeat was out of the question, while First Sight’s victory over stablemate Golden Speech at Kempton has been badly devalued.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 1 No4 IFTIKHAAR (Each Way)
Trainer: David Simcock – Jockey: Callum Shapherd
IFTIKHAAR is a very well-bred gelding by Dubawi out of a War Front mare who should do well in handicaps this winter. He looked to be hiding his light under a bushel in four 2022 outings but in this new sphere and over a longer trip he can put his best foot forward.
Race 3 No8 SAPPHIRE SEAS (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
Loughnane’s link with a Godolphin-owned horse tells you all you need to know about the upwardly mobile course the apprentice find of the season is treading. On SAPPHIRE SEAS he should again demonstrate what a budding talent he is and guide the Frankel filly safe home as the best bet of the night.
Race 6 No3 BAZALGETTE (Each Way)
Trainer: Stella Barclay – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
BAZALGETTE is not the most straightforward of conveyances, and it will be interesting to see how Loughnane fares on the grey on as he bids to claim a first win since joining his trainer from the Horses In Training Sale. He’s named after the man that designed and built the London sewers, but on this occasion can come back smelling of roses.
